2022 WPT Tampa
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida
Event 18
$25,500 High Roller (Re-Entry)
Entries: 25
Prize Pool: $617,500
August 31-September 1, 2022
John Racener took home the top prize in a very talented field in the High Roller event tonight in Tampa today. The prize money up top was worth $246,990 along with the WPT Trophy. Racener lives just down the road from the casino, and here is what he had to say about picking up the win on his home court.
“It feels great because it’s my home turf, I live ten minutes from here. I don’t play many $25ks, I pick and choose. But I had to play this one, because it was near home. I get to sleep at home, I have my kids nearby and my wife, I was really excited for this one and I wanted to protect my house,” said Racener.
When he was asked about the increased level of competition a high roller event attracts, Racener replied with: “Of course, I don’t always play these, so I’m not used to playing against the top of the top every time, but when I do it brings out the best in me. It makes me more focused, and more into it, and I raise my game.”
“I just kept my cool and I did my thing, I know they’re all very good, and they play these a lot, and they were very friendly, but I just sat there and was focused and just got the job done,” said Racener when he was asked about his journey through the final table.
Racener was particularly happy to take home the trophy to his family after the end of the tournament. “I’m about to FaceTime with my wife and kids, I want to show them the chips and the trophy. My son is about to be four years old, and when I was about to come play this he was crying because we do everything together. He loves it when I’m home, and the same thing with my two-year-old too. They were crying so I went back and sat back down on the couch with them for 15 minutes. I thought it was a sign that I shouldn’t come play, and then my wife and mother-in-law told me to do it and go have fun. He was good after that, and I told him I would there in the morning when he woke up. It all worked out, and everything played out perfectly. If I’m going to be away from them I better win,” said Racener.
| Place | First Name | Last Name | Prize Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John | Racener | $246,990 + WPT Trophy |
| 2 | Brock | Wilson | $154,380 |
| 3 | Joe | McKeehen | $98,800 |
| 4 | Anthony | Hu | $67,930 |
| 5 | Darren | Elias | $49,400 |
from the button, and John Racener had him covered holding 
.
, and Wilson was eliminated in second place ($154,380).
in the hole, and Brock Wilson had him covered holding 
[7]s from the button.
, and Racener doubled up to survive with 2,205,000 and Wilson held 800,000 after the hand.
flop. McKeehen checked, Racener bet 45,000 and McKeehen check-raised all in for about 450,000 total. Racener called and McKeehen was at risk.
river finished the board, McKeehen wished his opponents good luck, and collect his third place payout.
, Racener checked, Wilson bet 65,000 and only McKeehen called. The river was 
, Wilson bet 265,000 (leaving a single 5K chip behind), and McKeehen called.
for a flopped open-ended straight flush draw, turned straight, and good after McKeehen flashed 
for two pair.
flop.
river finished the board and Hu was eliminated in fourth place for $67,930.